SAR imaging of moving targets

A method of forming synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of moving targets without using any specific knowledge of the target motion is presented. The new method uses a unique processing kernel that involves a one-dimensional interpolation of the deramped phase history which we call keystone formatting. This preprocessing simultaneously eliminates the effects of linear range migration for all moving targets regardless of their unknown velocity. Step two of the moving target imaging technique involves a two-dimensional focusing of the movers to remove residual quadratic range migration errors. The third and last step removes cubic and higher order defocusing terms. This imaging technique is demonstrated using SAR data collected as part of DARPA's Moving Target Exploitation (MTE) program     

Detecting moving targets in SAR imagery by focusing

A new method for detecting moving targets in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image is presented. It involves segmenting a complex-valued SAR image into patches, focusing each patch separately, and measuring the sharpness increase in the focused patch. The algorithm is sensitive to azimuth velocities and is exquisitely sensitive to radial accelerations of the target, allowing it to detect motion in any direction. It is complementary to conventional Doppler-sensing moving target indicators, which can sense only the radial velocity of rapidly moving targets.     

Moving target imaging algorithm for SAR data

A digital processing algorithm for fine-resolution imaging of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) moving targets is described. The targets may have any translational and rotational motion components relative to the data collection platform. The algorithm requires the presence of up to three prominent points in the image of the target; the signals from these points provide estimates of the unknown target motion parameters. Phase compensation and data formatting based on these estimates eliminate motion-induced phase errors. This algorithm has been implemented on a VAX computer and used to process both simulated and real SAR data of moving targets. Results obtained using the simulated data are presented     

FrFT-CSWSF:Estimating cross-range velocities of ground moving targets using multistatic synthetic aperture radar

Estimating cross-range velocity is a challenging task for space-borne synthetic aperture radar（SAR）, which is important for ground moving target indication（GMTI）. Because the velocity of a target is very small compared with that of the satellite, it is difficult to correctly estimate it using a conventional monostatic platform algorithm. To overcome this problem, a novel method employing multistatic SAR is presented in this letter. The proposed hybrid method, which is based on an extended space-time model（ESTIM） of the azimuth signal, has two steps： first, a set of finite impulse response（FIR） filter banks based on a fractional Fourier transform（FrFT） is used to separate multiple targets within a range gate; second, a cross-correlation spectrum weighted subspace fitting（CSWSF） algorithm is applied to each of the separated signals in order to estimate their respective parameters. As verified through computer simulation with the constellations of Cartwheel, Pendulum and Helix, this proposed time-frequency-subspace method effectively improves the estimation precision of the cross-range velocities of multiple targets.     

利用分数阶Fourier域滤波的机载SAR多运动目标检测

 强度相差较大的多运动目标检测是机载合成孔径雷达 ( SAR)技术的一个重点和难点,传统的频域滤波和现代的时频分布方法都无法解决这个问题。首先分析了机载 SAR运动目标回波本质上为线性调频信号,据此提出一种基于分数阶 Fourier域滤波的运动目标检测新方法,并且应用逐次消去的思想有效地解决了强度相差较大的多目标检测问题。仿真的结果验证了算法的有效性。     

High Range Resolution Profiles as Motion-Invariant Features for Moving Ground Targets Identification in SAR-Based Automatic Target Recognition

A quantitative model analysis is presented to justify the extraction of high range resolution (HRR) profiles from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images as motion-invariant features for identifying moving ground targets. A comparative study is conducted to assess the effectiveness in the identification process between using HRR profiles and SAR images as target signatures. The results indicate that HRR profiles are just as viable as SAR image for identification. Furthermore, a score-level multi-look fusion identification method has been investigated. It is found that a correct accurate identification rate of greater than 99 percent, a low false alarm rate, and a high level of identification confidence can be achieved, providing very robust performance.     

Moving Targets Processing in SAR Spatial Domain

This paper presents a novel technique to estimate the initial coordinates and velocity vector of moving targets, including those with velocities above the Nyquist limit, using a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor without increasing the pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The basic reasoning is that, although the returned echoes may be undersampled in the azimuth direction, their phase and amplitude are informative with respect to the moving target trajectory parameters. Therefore, the so-called blind angle ambiguity, inherent to systems using a single SAR sensor, is overcome. The proposed method samples the data in the spatial domain, along the signature curve which depends on the moving target trajectory parameters. The resulting algorithm is a highly efficient (from the computational point of view) ID matched filter. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is illustrated using simulated SAR data and real data from the MSTAR public release data set, corresponding to a static SAR scene and a static BTR-60 with simulated motion.     

基于杂波对消-自聚焦的多通道SAR-GMTI

对超高频(UHF)波段多通道合成孔径雷达(SAR)动目标检测技术进行研究,解决了长相干积累时间导致动目标在方位向散焦严重的问题。采用分块自聚焦技术对多通道SAR地面移动目标指示(GMTI)系统自适应杂波抑制后的SAR图像进行处理,改善杂波抑制后的SAR图像中动目标的聚焦情况,增强动目标与周围剩余杂波的对比度,进而提高恒虚警率(CFAR)检测的性能。与传统杂波抑制后直接进行CFAR检测方法相比较,该方法降低了检测虚警概率。实测数据处理结果显示动目标的信杂比明显提高,动目标方位向聚焦成功,证明了该方法的有效性。     

Target motion compensation in synthetic aperture radar

In a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) targets on the ground that are moving become smeared as a result of velocity components parallel to the motion of the radar and are moved to radically different angular positions if they have velocity components perpendicular to the motion of the radar. Methods for restoring moving targets to their correct size and position are described. The samples collected for SAR processing are frequency-modulated RF pulses. Mathematically this leads to spectra that are described by Fresnel integrals. For stationary targets, the spectrum is symmetrical around the origin. If there is a moving target in a range cell, its Doppler spectrum will be displaced from the origin and may undergo other changes as a result of its nonzero velocity. Proper compensation to locate the target at the correct position requires that the spectrum be translated to a position dependent on the along-track velocity rather than to the origin. From the central frequency, the along-range velocity component can be estimated and the length of the translation can then be found. After translation, the spectrum is converted back to the time domain and the customary SAR processing is performed     

一种FMCW SAR地面运动目标谱图域参数估计方法

对调频连续波(FMCW)合成孔径雷达(SAR)地面运动目标的参数估计方法进行了研究,采用相位中心偏置天线(DPCA)技术对地杂波进行抑制,分析了载机及地面运动目标连续运动对回波信号的影响,推导了采用DPCA技术引入的回波慢时间包络(STE)项与地面运动目标参数之间的关系。在此基础上,提出了一种地面运动目标谱图域参数估计方法,该方法首先利用Radon变换在谱图域估计导致回波信号距离走动的目标等效径向速度,并对距离走动进行校正;其次,在谱图域中提取运动目标回波幅度,根据STE项引起的回波幅度变化与目标方位向速度之间的关系,估计目标的方位向速度,并进一步求解相应的目标径向速度。所提方法能够在谱图域完成地面运动目标二维速度估计,最后的仿真实验验证了所提方法的有效性和可行性。     

Synthetic Aperture Imaging Radar and Moving Targets

This paper considers the effects of slowly moving targets as they appear in the output of an airborne coherent side-looking synthetic aperture imaging radar. The image of a moving reflector is described, and two approaches to airborne moving target indication (AMTI) are summarized. It is shown that the effects of target movement are decreased as the radar scan rate is increased, and are increased as the (Doppler processed) compression ratio is increased.     

Target-Motion-Induced Radar Imaging

Imaging from ground-based (stationary) radars of moving targets is often possible by utilizing a "synthetic aperture" developed from the target motion itself. The theory and experimental results associated with such processing are addressed. An aircraft is imaged from both a straight flight and a turn with recognizable results. Analysis shows that two-phase components exist in the radar return, one being gross velocity induced, the other being interscatterer interference within the target itself. The former phase must be removed prior to imaging and techniques are developed for this task. Preprocessing, range curvature, range alignment, motion compensation, and presumming are all addressed prior to presenting the experimental results. Coherence processing intervals, range collapsing, and range realignment are all examined during the processing aspects of the paper.     

SAR极坐标格式成像算法对运动目标响应特性

运动目标的合成孔径雷达（SAR）成像特征是SAR地面运动目标指示（SAR/GMTI）系统进行运动目标检测、成像和重定位的基础。为此,从信号二维解耦合校正距离徙动角度推导和分析了极坐标格式算法（PFA）对运动目标的响应特性,揭示了极坐标格式转换过程中的距离插值和方位插值对运动目标距离徙动的校正原理。理论分析表明：PFA在完成对静止目标成像的同时,还能够自动校正所有运动目标的线性距离徒动,且校正过程无需目标运动信息,因此对于径向运动目标,在忽略波前弯曲条件下PFA也能够对其进行完全聚焦。最后,通过仿真数据处理对理论分析结果进行了验证,表明PFA作为一种运动目标成像预处理方法具有很大的应用前景。     

Super resolution feature extraction of moving targets

High range resolution (HRR) moving target indicator (MTI) is becoming increasingly important for many military and civilian applications such as the detection and classification of moving targets in strong clutter background. We consider the problem of extracting the HRR features of moving targets with very closely spaced scatterers in the presence of strong stationary clutter, where the range migration and Doppler frequency are taken into account. A relaxation-based algorithm, which is robust and computationally simple, is proposed to deal with the above problem. Numerical results have shown that the proposed algorithm exhibits super resolution and excellent estimation performance     

Automatic target recognition of time critical moving targets using1D high range resolution (HRR) radar

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) of moving targets pose a significant challenge due to the inherent difficulty of focusing moving targets. As a result, ATR of moving targets has recently received increased interest. High Range Resolution (HRR) radar mode offers an approach for recognizing moving targets by forming focused HRR profiles with significantly enhanced target-to-(clutter+noise) (T/(C+N)) via Doppler filtering and/or clutter cancellation. A goal of HRR ATR transition is the implementation and evaluation of algorithms exhibiting robustness under extended operating conditions (EOC). The public domain Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) data set was used to study 1D template-based ATR development and performance. Due to the unavailability of a statistically significant moving ground target data set, this approach was taken as an interim step in assessing the separability of ground targets when using range only discriminants. This report summarizes the data and algorithm methodology, simulated performance results, and recommendations     

利用脉组间频率步进信号合成UWB距离像及类MUSIC法对速度的高分辨估计(英文)

提出一种称为类多信号分类(CMUSIC)的方法,其利用脉组间频率步进信号,在具有M个脉冲的脉冲串(子带,即窄带)中高分辨估计径向速度。利用此速度估计值补偿距离-多普勒耦合和多普勒色散后,对跨子带进行快速傅里叶变换则可获得合成超宽带高分辨距离像。和其他方法相比,CMUSIC在低信噪比时具有较好的速度估计性能。当M大于具有不同径向速度的目标个数Q时,该方法在小M值下依然有优越的速度估计性能。此外,经过径向速度解模糊后,该方法适应高径向速度运动的目标。随着国防技术的突飞猛进地发展以及高速先进飞行器的涌现,这具有重要的实际价值。仿真结果验证了该方法的可行及有效性。     

Method for Optical-Flow-Based Precision Missile Guidance

A new precision guidance law is presented for three-dimensional intercepts against a moving target. In contrast to previously published guidance laws, it does not require knowledge of the range to the target. This makes it appropriate for use on platforms which have an imaging device, such as a video camera, as a primary sensor. We prove that with idealized dynamic model, the guidance law results in zero miss distance, and a formula is given for impact angle error which tends to zero as does target speed, making this method particularly suitable against slow moving targets. Computer simulations are used to test the law with a more realistic model, with a video camera and optical-flow algorithm providing target information. It is shown to perform well compared with another law from the literature, despite requiring less information.     

Detection of moving targets in wideband SAR

A likelihood ratio is proposed for moving target detection in a wideband (WB) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. WB is defined here as any systems having a large fractional bandwidth, i.e., an ultra wide frequency band combined with a wide antenna beam. The developed method combines time-domain fast backprojection SAR processing methods with moving target detection using space-time processing. The proposed method reduces computational load when sets of relative speeds can be tested using the same clutter-suppressed subaperture beams. The proposed method is tested on narrowband radar data.     

Velocity estimation of fast moving targets using a single SAR sensor

A new methodology is presented to retrieve slant-range velocity estimates of moving targets inducing Doppler-shifts beyond the Nyquist limit determined by the pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The proposed approach exploits the linear dependence (not subject to PRF limitations) of the Doppler-shift with respect to the slant-range velocity, at each wavelength. Basically, we propose an algorithm to compute the skew of the two-dimensional spectral signature of a moving target. Distinctive features of this algorithm are its ability to cope with strong range migration and its efficiency from the computational point of view. By combining the developed scheme to retrieve the slant-range velocity with a methodology proposed earlier to estimate the velocity vector magnitude, the full velocity vector is unambiguously retrieved without increasing the mission PRF. The method gives effective results even when the returned echoes of the moving targets and the static ground overlap completely, provided that the moving targets signatures are digitally spotlighted and the signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR) is, roughly, greater than 14 dB. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated with simulated and real data. As an example, slant-range velocities of moving objects with velocities between 6 and 12 times the Nyquist velocity are estimated with accuracy better than 3%.     

红外航空图像自动目标识别的形态滤波神经网络算法

 提出了一种有实用意义的形态滤波神经网络模型及其自适应 BP学习算法。形态滤波网络的优化设计过程实际上是网络参数 (结构元素 )不断调整、逐步适应图像环境的优化学习过程,从而将目标客体的特征规律反映到网络结构上来,以实现对复杂变化的图像具有良好的滤波性能和稳健的适应能力。为结合运动图像目标的检测需要,采用了渐进收缩误差、适时校正网络权值的动态跟踪学习算法。通过实验结果可以看出,该算法不仅能适应复杂多样的背景环境,而且对运动目标的连续检测能力具有位移不变、伸缩不变和旋转不变的特性。